stoat

stoat Carnivorous mammal of the weasel family. Its slim body is c.30cm (12in) long, including the tail, and it has short legs and moves sinuously. It preys upon rabbits and smaller animals in many temperate and northern parts of the world. In the latter regions, its fur turns from red-brown and white to white in winter, when it is known as ermine. Family Mustelidae; species Mustela ermina.

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stoat

stoat
/ stōt/
•
n.
a small carnivorous mammal (Mustela erminea) of the weasel family that has chestnut fur with white underparts and a black-tipped tail. It is native to both Eurasia and North America, and in northern areas the coat turns white in winter. Also called short-tailed weasel. Compare with ermine.

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